Diagnostic test 36
Features of discourse
Circle the better option (a or b) for each space
(1-7) in the text. Both options are
grammatically correct; choose the most
appropriate in the context.
Jane and Tom had been looking for a new home
to buy for ages and they were excited about
viewing the empty house in Garfield Road.
(1) .......... so it was quite easy to find. Walking
up to the front door they noticed that the garden
was extremely unkempt and full of rubbish.
(2) .......... Unfortunately the inside of the house
was little better. From the state of...t:he hallway it
was clear that nobody had lived there for many
years. Undaunted, Jane made straight for the
kitchen. (3) .......... It wasn't a pleasant sight.
(4) .......... Jane decided to see if the reception
rooms were any better and walked back into the
hall. (5) ........... It was empty of furniture but
with growing excitement Jane noticed a large
boarded-up fireplace. She shouted for Tom to
come and look at it. (6) ........... So few houses
had big fireplaces these days, and there was
nothing she loved more than a house with a
blazing log fire. (7) .......... .
a They knew the old church was opposite it.
b They knew it was opposite the old church.
2 a There was a burnt-out sofa and an old
fridge which was lying on its side.
b A burnt-out sofa and an old fridge which
was lying on its side were there.
3 a In any house it was the kitchen that she
always wanted to see first.
b She always wanted to see the kitchen first
in any house.
4 a Hidden under a thick layer of dust and
grease were the kitchen walls and units.
b The kitchen walls and units were hidden
under a thick layer of grease and dust.
5 a She stepped into the old dining room,
pushing open a creaking mahogany door.
b Pushing open a creaking mahogany door,
she stepped into the old dining room.
6 a This was exactly the kind of thing they had
been hoping to find.
b They had been hoping to find exactly this
kind of thing.
7 a Ever since her childhood spent in an old
farmhouse in Scotland she had loved it.
b It was something she had loved ever since
her childhood spent in an old farmhouse in
Scotland.
Choose the best word or phrase (a-n) from the
box below to complete each sentence. Not all
the options are needed.
a At first b Furthermore c Nevertheless
d Due to e After that f Consequently
g The Prince h The Prince of Wales
i To know the right people.
j Knowing the right people.
k Cheques should be
I It would be nice if your cheque was
m creepy n unnerving
8 Proof of status must be included with each
application ........... , we require a signed and
dated passport-sized photograph, which is
non-returnable.
9 Joseph never went to university............ , he
considered himself to be well educated.
10 The air traffic controllers have called a strike.
. ......... , all flights are cancelled until further
notice.
11 The tour of the Acropolis will take two hours.
.......... you will be free to go shopping.
12 The Prince of Wales announced his decision
to give up playing polo today........... has
sustained a number of injuries in recent
years.
13 Being in the right place at the right time.
......... These are the ingredients of success in
our society.
14 Invoices should be paid by cheque .......... .
marked 'payee only'.
15 Many critics find the scene in the attic
particularly ......... .
Diagnostic test 36 key ~ page 353
4S